Machine for treating filled containers



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Filed Feb. 18, 1955 M Q @QGGOD MACHINE FOR TREATING FILLED CONTAINERS Au.30,193s. T

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ATTORNEYS Aug. 30, 1938. N. P. BACH MACHINE FOR TREATING FILLEDCONTAINERS Filed Feb. .18, 1955 .8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. N .p BAQH MACHINEFOR TREATING FILLED CONTAINERS I Fild Feb. 18, 1935 s Sheets-Sheet sfig? 4 4/! A ATTORNEYS Aug. 30, 1938. p BAC'H 2,128,227

MACHINE FOR TREATING FILLED CONTAINERS Filed Feb. 18, 1935 8Sheeis-She'et 4 IIIIIIIIIIIIII/ 7 l li ,E

Eb g/7/ w i w $7 68 i /4Z T /3 ill 67 /4/ U4 T Z 7 0 Ma Q INVENTOR- /4]/4 VG? a? ma L0.

1 $4 ffm ATTORNEYS Aug. 30, 1938. N. P. BACH MACHINE FOR TREATING FILLEDCONTAINERS Filed Feb. ,18, 1955 8 sheeis-snet 5 ATI'ORNEY5 INVENTOR M aw BY 3,... L9.

Aug. 30, 1938. N. P. BACH 2,128,227

MACHINE FOR TREATING FILLED CONTAINERS Filed Feb. 18, 1935 8Sheets-Sheet 8 3 F r =1 -:J M ii IN VE TOR.

ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 30, 1938 UNITED STATES MACHINE FOR TREATINGFILLED CONTAINERS Neils r. Bach, Geneva, N. Y... assignor to AmericanCan Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey ApplicationFebruary 18, 1935, Serial No. 7,140

18 Claims.

The present invention relates to a machine for treating filledcontainers and has particular reference to devices for collecting thecontainers into groups and for transferring the groups intopredetermined position within the machine for treating operations, theperformance of the transferring operation for each group being effectedautomatically when and as each group is' completely formed.

An object of the invention is to provide a machine for treating filledcontainers wherein individual containers as they are received arecollected into groups each of a predetermined number of containers whichare transferred into' closed chambers for a treating operation andwherein the transfer of each group is automatically effected when andafter it is completely formed.

Another object is to provide such a machine for vacuumizing and gassingcontainers wherein the operation of the group transferring and thevacuumizing and gassing mechanisms are controlled by the containercollecting devices, the operations of these mechanisms being preventeduntil the required number of containers are collected in a group.

Another object is to provide such a machine wherein the completion of agroup of containers automatically cuts off the feeding of subsequentincoming containers and then follows the segregation of the group justformed and its further transfer into another part of the machine.

Another object is to provide such a machine which is double acting inthat one group of containers is vacuumized and gassed in a chamber whileanother group is being collected ready for transfer into anotherchamber, the chambers when supplied with containers being alternatelybrought into communication with interconnected vacuumizing and gassingdevices.

Another object to is to provide devices for automatically controllingthe gas pressure in the chambers so that the gassing of each group ofcontainers may be rapid and eflicient and yet economical.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparentas it is better understood from the following description, which, takenin connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferredembodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure-1 is a plan view of part of a machine embodying the instantinvention, parts being broken away;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the frame part of themachine shown in the extreme right hand end of Fig. 1, parts beingremoved; A

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the part of the machine illustrated inFig. 1, parts being broken away;

Fig. 4 is a continuing plan view of the machine of Fig. 1, the two viewswhen joined along the lines A-A in both figures illustrating thecomplete plan view of the entire machine, parts being broken away;

Fig. 5 is a continuing side elevation of the machine of Fig. 3, the twoviews when joined along the lines B-B in both figures illustrating thecomplete side elevation of the entire machine, parts being broken away;

Fig. 6 isan enlarged transverse sectional view taken substantially alongthe broken line 6-43 in Fi 1;

Fig. 7 is a sectional detail viewed substantially along the line '|l inFig; 6, parts being broken away;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken substantiallyalong the line 8il in Fig. 3, with parts broken away;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged transverse sectional view of the lower part of themachine, taken substantially along the line 9-9 in Fig. 5, parts beingbroken away;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional composite view of the two differentparts of the valve mechanism of the machine as .taken substantiallyalong the two spaced section lines Ill-lb in Fig. 9, the two sectionsbeing laid over and schematically associated to better show the valveoperation; Y

Fig. 11 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken substantiallyalong the broken line I l-ll in Fig. 5, with parts broken away;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of a part of the containerdetecting mechanism shown in the upper left hand corner of Fig. 8; Fig.13 is a wiring diagram of the electrical controls associated with themachine;

Fig. 14 is a face view of one of the switch units of a vacuum controldevice with its box cover removed as viewed along the line i i-I4 in vFig. 4;

Fig. 15 is a similar view with parts broken away of one of the vice;

Fig. 16 is a sectional view of another gas switch unit as viewed alongthe section line iii-l6 in Fig. 14; and I switch units of a gas controlde- Fig. 17 is a cross-section taken through a gas valve located in thepipe line shown in Fig. 5.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, filled containers orcans which preferably have a cover loosely applied thereon areintroduced into the machine in a continuous procession from a runwaywhich may be associated with a filling machine or the like. The cans arereceived from this runway on rotating discs which transfer themindividually to a continuously moving belt conveyor by which they areadvanced toward the vacuumizing and gassing or other treating end of themachine. Before reaching this end of the machine, however, the cans arecollected into a group containing a predetermined number of cans. Thisgrouping is effected by a can holding instrumentality locatednear theend of the belt conveyor.

The foremost can in the procession when it engages the holding device isstopped or held stationary while the belt slips beneath it. The nextfollowing can on the conveyor thereupon moves intoengagement with theheld can and subsequent cans in the line stack up or collect in closeorder one behind the other. The cans are automatically and'individuallydetected as they come to position in the line and when the desirednumber has been collected the detecting device automatically stops thetransfer of following cans from the feed-in discs to the belt conveyor.Simultaneously with thisaction the group of cans on the conveyor isreleased by the removal of the holding instrumentality from the path ofthe cans.

This action of the detecting device also sets into motion other devicesassociated with the vacuumizing and gassing mechanism. The latterincludes an overhead conveyor which now engages and moves the group ofcollected cans forward as a unit. These segregated cans are brought intoone side or back of a duplex trans- 'versely movable can holding cradledisposed between a pair of opposed chambers forming a part of the canvacuumizing and gassing mechanism.

As soon as the group of cans is fully positioned in the cradle, theholding instrumentality associated with the conveyor is again restoredto holding position and the cans on the feed in discs again pass to theconveyor and accumulate thereon. While a second group of cans is thusbeing collected the first group in the can cradle is moved transverselyof the machine and positioned into one of the chambers. This chamber isimmediately closed and sealed by a wall forming a part of the cradle.

A valve unit actuated by the vacuumizing and gassing mechanism now actsto first establish a line of communication between the closed chamberand a source of vacuum whereupon the chamber and the cans therein arevacuumized and second, to cut off the vacuum and introduce an inert gasinto the chamber and into the cans. A valve 'unit of this character isdescribed in Patent No. 1,841,326 granted January 12, 1932, to Lewis W.Eggleston, is suitable for this purpose and is not itself claimed by me.When a predetermined degree of gas pressure has been reached in thechamber the pressure so developed automatically cuts oif the gas supplyand the cans are then ready to be discharged from the chamber and fromthe machine.

The gassed cans remain in the chamber until the succeeding group isfully collected or segregated and is positionedinto the opposite or e py side of the cradle. The cradle is then shifted back to its formerposition and this moves the second group of cans into the oppositechamber and in place for their subsequent vacuumizing and gassing. Inthis return movement of the cradle, the first group of gassed cans iswithdrawn from its chamber. These cans are now engaged by the overheadconveyor which pushes tliem longitudinally out of the cradle and onto adischarge disc which removes the cans from the machine. Ordinarily thisdisc will be associated with a. suitable closing machine or the like forsealing the covers onto the cans.

I A preferred form of machine is disclosed in the drawings and comprisesa main frame 2| (Figs. 1, 3, 4 and which carries the vacuumizing andgassing mechanism and an auxiliary frame 22 which supports the canfeeding and can collecting devices. The main frame is supported on legmembers 23 which are mounted on a base 24. One end of the auxiliaryframe is supported on the main frame and its opposite end is mounted onan adjustable standard 25 which rests on the floor. It is adjacent thisend of the frame that filled cans a carrying loosely applied covers 12are introduced into the machine in a vertical position and on a feedingdevice carried in a housing bracket 26 (Fig. 6) secured in a positionsubstantially at right angles and to one side of the auxiliary frame 22.

The feeding device comprises a pair of horizontal overlapping discs 21,28 whichare continuously rotated in opposite directions and in unison byintermeshing gears 3|, 32 (Fig. 6) formed at the bottom of therespective discs. Disc 21 is mounted on a short vertical shaft 33 whichis carried in a. bearing 34 formed in the outer end of the bracket 26.Disc 28 is mounted 'between the auxiliary frame and the disc 21 on avertical shaft 35 which is carried in bearings 36 also formed in thebracket 26.

Cans entering the machine are received from a runway 31 (Figs. 1 and 3)having spaced parallel guide bars 38 which deliver the cans onto thedisc 21 positioning them between a pair of spaced parallel curved guiderails 4|. These latter rails are arranged over the tops of both discs,being carried onthe upper ends of the shafts 33, 35, one end of eachrail being secured by a bolt 42 to the top of the bracket 26. The discsadvance the cans between the guide rails through a circuitous path,transferring them from disc 21 to disc 28 and thence onto an endlessbelt conveyor 45.

The belt conveyor 45 is carried in the auxiliary frame 22 and moveslongitudinally thereof with the top surface of the upper run of thebeltflush withthe top surface of the frame. At the can feed-in end ofthe frame, the belt takes over pulley 46 (Figs. 3 and 6) which ismounted on and secured to a horizontal shaft 4! journaled in a pair ofbearings 48 formed in the sides of the auxiliary frame and also in abearing 49 formed in the bracket 26. It is this shaft 41 that drives thefeed discs 21, 28. This is effected by helical gears between the shafts41, 35 (Fig. '7) one being a gear 5| carried on the shaft 41 whichmeshes with a similar gear 52 mounted on and secured to the verticalshaft 35. The discs are thus rotated by and in time with the beltconveyor.

At the opposite end of the auxiliary frame 22,

a pair of bearings 51 formed in the sides of the auxiliary frame andalso in a bearing 58 formed in a gear casing extension 59 of the frame.This shaft 56 is continuously driven from a speed reduction unit GIwhich is connected with and driven by any suitable source of power suchas for example an electric motor 62.

The driven element of the reduction unit 6| comprises a worm 63 (Fig. 3)which is suitably journaled in bearings for-med in a frame 64 bolted toa base plate 65 forming an extension of the base 24. The worm mesheswith and drives a worm wheel 66 which is mounted on a cross shaft 51journaled in bearings 60 (Fig. 8) formed in the frame.

The shaft 61 extends beyond the bearings and at one end carries asprocket 69 over which operates an endless chain 1 I. Chain II passes upand over a sprocket 12 mounted on the end of the shaft 56 adjacent thebearing 58. The conveyor belt 45 is kept taut by a belt tightener device73 (Fig. 3) secured to the side of the auxiliary frame 22.

As the foremost can a on the belt conveyor approaches the machine end ofthe conveyor it comes against and is halted in its advance by an arm 8I(Figs. 1 and 8) which extends over the top of the conveyor and into thepath of the moving cans. The arm is an integral part of a stop lever 82mounted on the upper end of a vertical shaft 83 carried in a bearing 84formed in the auxiliary frame 22. The lower end of the shaft is securedto a cam lever 85 which at its free end carries a pin 86 on which ismounted a cam roller 81. The cam roller engages within a groove 88 of acam 89 (see also Fig. 3) mounted on an intermittently movable shaft 9Idisposed longitudinally under the auxiliary frame in bearings 92 whichare bolted to the bottom of the frame at each end.

Shaft 9I is rotated through one complete revolution and then remains atrest for a considerable period of time. Accordingly the arm 8| is heldin the path of the cans for a corresponding time period. This positionof the arm causes the cans moving in with the belt 45 to stack up' orcollect one in back of the other and in a straight line on the conveyor.

The cans are held in line along one side by double, vertically spacedguide rails 95 secured to brackets 96 which are bolted to the top of theauxiliary frame. A guide rail 91 is disposed along the opposite side ofthe belt and is held in brackets 98 formed on a base 99. The inner edgeof this base also functions as a guide for the bottom of the cans and isin turn bolted to the top of the auxiliary frame. A guide rail I00 isindirectly carried by the brackets 98 and cooperates with the elements9'I, 99 to keep the cans in processlonal order.

The guide rail 91 (see also Figs. 8 and 12) also functions as a part ofa detecting device which counts off the cans as they pass in line on thebelt conveyor and this also acts to collect them into groups of apredetermined number. For each can of the group there is provided aninverted T shaped weight arm IOI which is suspended from a weight barI02 carried in the brackets 98, the weight arms hanging in a rowadjacent one side of the belt conveyor.

Each weight arm comprises a substantially vertical stem plate I03 whichat its top end is formed with an enlarged head I04 extending out fromand overhanging the rear side of the plate. The

bottom of the overhanging part of the head is cut longitudinally thereofparallel with the plate and with an inverted V-shaped groove I05 whichengages and fits over a knife edge I06 formed along the top edge of theweight bar I02. The weight arms are thus hung on the bar and arenormally free to swing in pendulum fashion toward and away from the canson the conveyor.

The weight arms are located longitudinally of the supporting weight barso that they will keep their longitudinal position without interferencewith the freedom of their swinging movements. From the top of each headI04, a lug I01 extends up and is loosely engaged in a notch I08 cut in adepending flange I09 of a locating bar II I. This bar is secureddirectly to the tops of the brackets 98 and in turn provides directsupport for the guide rail I00. is spaced above the top of the weightbar I02.

The locating bar III preferably has a great number of notches I08extending along the entire length of the bar flange I09 as best shown inFig. 3 and by properly selecting the right notch for each lug I01 eachweight arm is located as near as possible to the center of the Bar IIIextends parallel to and foot (Fig. 12) which on one side extends forwardtoward the conveyor 45 as a shoe section H4 having a beveled corner II5this being normally in the can path. On the opposite side the footextends rearwardly in a counterbalance weight section H6. The latter iscut away adjacent the stem in a channel 1, for a purpose hereinafterexplained.

The weight of the counterbalance section IIB which is beyond thevertical line center of suspension of each of the arms is sufficient tonormally throw the arm forward against the guide bar 91. A boss H8formed on the front of the stem plate is provided for an engagement padand functions as a stop for the forward swinging movement of the arm.

As the cans pass the weight arms in their advancement with the conveyorbelt they ride along the beveled corner H5 of each shoe II4 that theypass and swing each weight arm back out of the way. As soon as a canpasses an arm it swings back into forward position again ready for thenext can. When a can stops in line as the cans pile up back of the stoplever 82, it holds back its engaged weight arm.

It is only when all of the weight arms I0l are held back that the numberof cans required to complete the group are in proper position to bemoved forward as a unit and this will now be explained.

A horizontal L shaped detector plate I2I (Figs. 1, 8 and 12) extendslongitudinally of the runway containing the accumulated cans. This platehas a depending front flange I22 and its rear edge is secured on a rockshaft I23. The shaft the full group of cans is formed, or the move- 75ment may be arrested by the flange I22 coming into engagement with oneor more of the weight sections H6 as when there is a vacancy in the canline.

The rock shaft carries an arm I25 which is pivotally connected with asubstantially vertical rod I26 (see also Fig. 3). Thelower end of. therod passes through and is slidingly engaged in a swivel block I21carried on the bifurcated end of an arm I28 of a bell crank lever I29.This lever is mounted on a shaft I3I carried in an extension I32 formedas an integral part of the base of the speed reduction bracket 64. Theother arm of the bell crank lever indicated at I34 carries a pin I 35 onwhich is mounted a cam roller I36. This roller operates within a grooveI31 of a barrel cam I38 and theglatter is mounted on the end of thespeed reduction shaft 61 this being opposite the end which carries thesprocket 69.

The shaft 61 revolves in time with the movement of the belt conveyor 45.The detector plate I2I is accordingly shifted at a time interval whichis sufficient for the belt to bring into position individual cansrequired to make up the desired group to be treated at one time.

If the group of cans in the line is not complete, the detector flangeI22 will strike against the tops of the weights II6 of those arms whichare not held back by properly positioned cans. When the full movement ofthe detector plate is thus arrested, the movement of the bell cranklever" is taken up by a spring I M which encircles the lower end of therod I 26 and which is interposed between the swivel block I21 and acollar I42 carried on the rod. A collar I 43 is also carried on theextreme end of the rod below the swivel block to prevent its becomingdisengaged from the latter.

When a group of cans is complete all the weight arms I M will be heldback by the cans and all of the weights II6 will be out of the way ofthe detector plate flange I22. At such time the flange I22 passes downinto the aligned channels II1 of the adjacent weight arms.

The turning of the rock shaft I23 through its full movement closes anormally open electric switch I45 (Figs. 1, 3 and 6) which in turncompletes an electric circuit which sets in motion devices forsegregating the collected group of.

The circuit is cansfrom the incoming cans. part of the wiring diagramillustrated in Fig. 13 which will be fully explained hereinafter.Operation of the switch is effected by a lever arm I46 mounted on theextreme end of the rock shaft adjacent the can receiving end of theconveyor which engages and actuates a balanced switch arm I41 to closethe switch.

The closed circuit includes and sets in motion an electric motor I48(Fig. 5) which is bolted to the base plate 24 at the can discharge endof the machine. The motor shaft carries a gear I5I which meshes with anddrives a gear I52 mounted on a shaft I53 carried in bearings I54 formedin each of the leg members 23.

' It is this shaft that actuates-the shaft 9! already briefly referredto in connection with the cam 89 and the can stopfinger 8|. The twoshafts are connected by achain I55 (Fig. 3) which operates over. adriving sprocket I56 mounted on the end of the shaft I53 and a drivensprocket I51 mounted on the adjacent end of the shaft 9I. I When theshaft revolves and the cam 89 act'uates the cam arm 85 (Fig. 8) andwithdraws the stop finger BI (Fig. 1) out of can holding position thecollected group of cans is released.

Simultaneously with this action the flow of incoming cans from the disc20 is stopped by an arm I6I (Figs. 1 and 6) which swings across the canpath at the end of the rails 4I. Arm I6I is mounted on the upper end ofa vertical shaft I62 carried in a bearing I63 formed in the auxiliaryframe 22 adjacent the delivery end of the feeding device guide rails 4!.On the lower end of the shaft I62 there is mounted an arm I64 whichcarries a pin I65 on which is mounted a cam roller I66 engaging within agroove I61 of a barrel cam I68 (see also Fig. 3). This cam is mounted onand turns when the shaft Si is rotated.

A n overhead conveyor is also set in motion by the starting of the motorI48. This conveyor comprises an endless chain I1I (Figs. 1, 3, 4, 5 and11) which is disposed longitudinally and over the top of the can pathextending forward of the disc 28. At the entrance of this can path thechain passes over an idler sprocket I12 (Fig. 3) which is mounted on oneend of a horizontal shaft I13 carried in a bearing I14 formed in abracket I15 which is boltedto the end of the auxiliary frame 22. Acollar I16 is pinned to the free end of the shaft for holding it in itsbearing I14.

At the vacuumizing and gassing end of.the machine the chain I1I takesover and is driven by a driving sprocket I18 which is keyed to one endof a horizontal shaft I19 carried in a bearing I8I formed in a bracketI82. The bracket is bolted to the top and one side of a chamber housingI83 (Figs. 4, 5 and 11) which is mounted on the top of the main frame 2Iand on the side thereof.

The sprocket I18 is rotated periodically by the motor I48 through theshaft I53, as follows. A sprocket I85 is mounted on the shaft I53 anddrives a sprocket I86 through a connecting chain I81. Sprocket I86 ismounted on one end of a horizontal shaft I88 carried in a bearing I89formed in a bracket I9I depending from the bottom ofthe main frame 2|.

The opposite end of the shaft I 88 projects beyond the bearing I89 andcarries a bevel gear I92 which meshes with a bevel pinion I93. Thepinion is mounted on one end of'a short horizontal shaft I94 carried ina. suitable bearing formed in a bracket I95 also depending from thebottom of the main frame 2I. A sprocket I96 is carried on the oppositeend of the shaft I94 and this sprocket driving a sprocket I91 on the endof the chain sprocket shaft I19 through the medium of a connecting chainI98.

Intermediate the sprockets I12, I18, the chain I" is supported along itsupper run between upper and lower guide rails 20I, 282 (Fig. 11) carriedin the bifurcated upper end of a plurality of brackets 203. Each bracketis formed with a rearwardly projecting pad 204 which is secured to thetop of a channel shaped beam 205 extending the full length of themachine and supported at its ends in the sprocket brackets I15, I82.Each bracket 203 extends down adjacent the front of the beam 205 and isformed with a bifurcated lower end similar to its upper end and directlybeneath. These lower ends carry upper and lower guide rails 201, 208between which the lower run of the chain is supported.

At equally spaced intervals along its length the chain I1I carries studs2 on each of which is pivotally mounted a can moving member 2E2comprising a short arm 2I3 and a similarly dislib posed but oppositelydirected depending bent long arm 2|4. The end of the short arm carries apin 2E5 on which is mounted a roller 2 I6, while the free end of thelong arm is enlarged in a head 2|1.

The members 2|2 are carried along with the moving chain |1| in acounter-clockwise direction (Figs. =3 and 5). When on the upper run ofthe chain they hang with the head 2|1 of each long arm slidinglysupported on a rail 2 I8 which extends longitudinally of the machine andunder the adjacent chain section. The rail is supported on laterallyprojecting lugs 2|9 formed on the front of the brackets 203.

As each member 2|2 approaches the idler sprocket N2 the head 2|1 of itsarm 2|4 comes to the end of the rail 2|8 and the roller 2|6 on its shortarm 2|3 thereupon enters into a cam groove 22| (Figs. 3, 5 and 11) of astationary channel or cam track 222. This cam track extendssubstantially the full length of the machine and adjacent the lower runof the chain |1|. It is bolted to and supported by the bottom of thebracket lugs 2|9.

Adjacent the sprocket |12 the end of the cam is curved upwardly and isbolted to a lug 223 formed on the top of the bracket I15. At this endalso the channel groove is so shaped as to cause the head 2|1 of the arm2|4 to dip down and sweep back (toward the left as viewed in Fig. 3),the roller 2|6 being momentarily held in a pocket 224 (Fig. 3) at suchtime.

As the member 2 I 2 continues on and is brought down into the lower runof the chain, the roller 2|6 is snapped out of the cam pocket 224 andcontinues its advance along the cam groove 22| which first curves downand then merges into a straight section which is substantially parallelwith the lower run of the chain. This is directly over the tops of thegrouped cans held on the conveyor belt 45.

With the roller 2 |6 traveling in the groove the arm 2|4 is rigidlysupported as its head 2|1 now engages the rearmost cam in the line andpushes it ahead with the entire can group moving all of these cans offthe end of the belt conveyor 45. This transfers the group from theauxiliary frame 22 and into the main frame 2| adjacent the vacuumizingand gassing mechanism.

As soon as the propelling member 2|2 has cleared the delivery end of thedisc feeding devices, the arm |6| is withdrawn from can blockingposition and succeeding cans are again permitted to pass from thefeeding devices onto the belt conveyor. Similarly when the last of thecans in the group being transferred to the vacuumizing and gassingmechanism has passed the finger 8| it is immediately moved back into canblocking position across the belt conveyor. Thus collection of a newgroup of cans begins.

The roller 2|6 of the member 2|2 which is propelling the first group ofcans engages an inclined section 228 (Fig. 3) of the cam track 222, thisbeing about the time the last can clears the finger 8|, and the arm 2|4is momentarily withdrawn or backed away from the cans, see the arm shownto the extreme right of Fig. 3.

The cans of the first group are now fully received in a cradle 23'l(Figs. 4, 5 and 11) which is mounted on slides 232 carried in slideways233 (see also Fig. formed transversely in the top of the main frame 2|.The cradle carries a pair of can racks 234, 235 one on each side andeach adapted to hold a group of cans.

Each rack comprises a plurality of- U-shaped brackets 231 the bottoms236 of which support a pair of rails 238 on which the cans are broughtto rest by the propelling overhead conveyor chain |1|. The vertical legsof each bracket 231 are designated by the numeral 2 and one of these,the inner leg is secured to the side of the cradle. The same thingapplies to the rack on the opposite s'ide of the cradle. A can guide bar242 extends between the outer legs of the bracket 231 on each side and asimilar guide bar 243 is mounted on opposite walls of the cradle, thebar (243 on each side being spaced from and opposite the bar 242 on thatside. This provides the runways for the spaced can racks 234, 235.

The cradle 23| is disposed between the chamber housing I83 and a similarhousing 245 (Figs. 4, 5 and 11). Both housings are mounted on top of themain frame 2| being arranged adjacent the longitudinal edges thereof.Each housing is normally closed on all sides excepting the inner sidewhich faces the cradle. Within the housings I83, 245 are treatingchambers 246, 241 for the cans.

The cradle is moved transversely of the frame 2| each time a group ofcans is received in a can rack 234 or 235 and such a movement insertsthe rack and its cans into one chamber or the other. This cradle shiftis effected by a cam 25| (Figs. 5 and 11) which is mounted on theintermittently revolving shaft I53. In the present embodiment this shaftI53 is rotated through 180 degrees on each movement and then it comes torest.

The cam 25] is'provided with a groove 252 in which operates a roller 253that is mounted on a pin 254 carried in one of a pair of arms 255 of acradle moving member 256. The lower end of this member is disposed in awell 251 formed in'the base 24 and is mounted on a pivot shaft 258 whichis carried in bearings 259 formed in the base. The two arms of themember 256 extend up on each side of the cam and around the shaft I53.Each arm is cut away in an elongated slot 26| the sides of which clearthe shaft in all po-. sitions of the arms. At their tops the arms arejoined in a horizontally disposed section 262.

The section 262 is provided with a substantially vertical slot 265 inwhich is bolted one end of a plate 266 which extends up and into avertical opening 261 formed centrally of the cradle 23| and confinedbetween parallel side walls. The

upper end of the plates issecured to a horizontal bar 268 the ends ofwhich project beyond the plate and are reduced in diameter providingtrunnions 269 (Fig. 4). On these trunnions are mounted slide blocks 2"which slide in guideways 212 formed in side walls of the cradle.

Thus, when the arms 255- shift backward or forward on their pivot shaft258 the cradle 23| moves transversely of the machine from one to theother of its two positions. One such position is shown in Fig. 11, thecan rack 235 being at such time enclosed in the chamber 241. The innerside of the chamber when the parts are in this position is closed by theadjacent side wall of the cradle. A rubber or other suitable sealinggasket 215 is interposed between the edge of the chamber housing and theside wall of the cradle .and is embedded in a groove 216 formed in theconveyor already fully described. Thus it is seen that while one group'of cans is being vacuumized and passed or otherwise treated in thechamber 241 another group is being loaded into the can rack 234.

When the cradle 23| moves toward the right (Fig. 11) the cans carried inthe rack 234 are moved into the chamber 246, the adjacent-side wall ofthe cradle engaging a sealing gasket 215 in the same manner as alreadydescribed in connection with chamber 241 thus hermetically sealing thecans in the chamber ready for the vacuumizing and gassing operation.

At the same time the rack 235 is withdrawn from the chamber 241 and isreturned to the position just occupied by the rack 234 being directly inline with the belt travel extended and the overhead chain conveyor. Itis this cradle movement back or forward that takes place during thattime the conveyor arm 2 was momentarily retarded or backed away from thelast can in the group.

Immediately following the shifting of the cradle the arm 2| 4 whichswung back as its roller 2| 6 traversed the incline cam section 228,again moves forward passing through the cradle just brought backintoalignment. The roller 2|6 thereupon moves along a furtherstraightsection of the cam groove 22l, this latter being at a higher plane thanthat of the first straight section. g

The rackwhich has been brought back into alignment with the overheadchain travel is filled with the group of cans which have been fullyvacuumized and gassed, and the chain arm 2|4 during its subsequentpassage through the rack moves them longitudinally of the rack and outonto a continuously moving discharge disc 28| (Figs. 4 and 5). Thedischarge disc 28| is mounted on the upper end of- .a vertical shaft 282which is J'ournaled in a hearing 283 formed in the top of a gear housing284 mounted on the end of the main frame 2|, and in a bearing 286 formedin a cover plate 281 secured to the bottom of the housing.

Rotation of the disc is effected by the continuously operating motor 62(Fig. 3). For this purpose the disc shaft 282 carries a bevel ear 288(Fig. 5) which is driven by a pinion 289 carried on the forward end of ahorizontal shaft 29|. This end of the shaft is lournaled in a bearing292 formed in the gear housing 284. The shaft also extends back throughthe main frame 2| and projects into the gear casing 59 (Fig. 1) of theauxiliary frame 22 where it terminates at the cross shaft 56. It isjournaled at its rear end in a bearing 293 formed in the casing.

A pinion 294 is mounted on the rear end of the shaft and is driven by agear 295 which is mounted on the cross shaft 56 adjacent its bearing 58.It is this continuously'rotating shaft which, it will be recalled, isdriven by the motor 62. The vacuumized and gassed cans coming onto thedisc 28| are received alternately from the cradle racks 234, 235. Duringdischarge the cans are guided between spaced guide rails 296 to anysuitable place of deposit. The guide rails are secured to the gearhousing 284.

The placing of all of the cans of any one group on the discharge disc28| completes one cycle of operation of the machine and the motor 8 isstopped after each cycle by the breaking of the motor circuit. This iseffected by the operation of an electric switch 291 (Figs. 3 and 6)which is secured to the side of the auxiliary frame 22 adjacent the camI68. This switch is opened and held open by a lug 298 which is securedto the side of the cam I68 and which is brought into engagement with aswitch actuating arm as the cam comes to rest at the end of its cycle ofmovement.

The vacuumizing and gassing of the cans when placed in either chamber246, 241 is controlled by valve mechanism and this is made effective onthe particular chamber which has been sealed on the group of cans placedtherein. This mechanism comprises a pair of valve boxes 30|, 302 (Figs.5, 9, 10 and 11) disposed under the main frame 2| in respective verticalalignment with the chamber housings 245, |83. Each valve box issupported on a pair of vertical bars 303 bolted at their top ends to theside of the main frame 2| and at their lower ends to the side of thebase plate 24.

The valve box 30| is formed ,with three superimposed compartments 305,306, 301 (Figs. 9 and 10) having outlet ports 308, 309,3 which passthrough the outer wall of the box. These ports are adapted to be coveredby va slide 3|4 which has a registering recess 3|5 formed in the faceadjacent the ports. A slide cover 3|6 secured to the outer face of thevalve box holds and guides the slide so that it may be moved verticallyto effect communication between adjacent ports as will be hereinafterexplained.

Movement of the slide is effected by a cam 3|8 carried on thelongitudinal shaft 53. In one face of the cam a groove 3|9 is providedfor a roller 32| which ismounted on a pin 322 carried in one end of alever 323.- The lever is mounted on a short shaft 324 carried in a lug325 formed as an integral part of the valve box 30| The opposite end ofthe lever is slottedand extends into a bifurcated lower end of the slideas shown in Figs. 5 and,9. t

The valve box 302' on the other side of the frame 2| is similar inconstruction to the valve box 30|, having also three superimposedcompartments 33l, 332, 333, provided with outlet ports 335, 336, 331respectively formed in the outer wall of the box. These ports like theports in box 30| are adapted to be covered with a slide 338 having arecess 339 (Fig. 10), the slide being vertically guided by a slide coversimilar to the cover 3|4.

Slide 338 is moved by the same cam 3|8 that operates slide 3|4, the backof the cam being formed with a cam groove 34| which is identical in itscontour with the cam groove 3|9 but the two grooves are relativelylocated 180 apart. The groove 34| is engaged by a roller 342 carried onone end of a lever 343 which is mounted on a short shaft 344 carried ina lug 345 formed integrally with the bottom of the valve box 302. The

end of the lever is slotted and is connected with the lower-end of theslide 338 in .the same-manner as the slide 3|4 is connected with itsactu- By this interconnection of piping the chambers 246, 241 may beindividually and alternately vacuumized and gassed as will now beexplained. Compartment 306 of box 30I is connected by a pipe 355 to asuitable source of vacuum such as a pump or the like. Likewisecompartment 332 of box 302 is connected by a pipe 356 to a suitablesupply of an inert gas which is preferably carbon dioxide which may becontained in suitable storage cylinders this being a commercial article.

When a group of cans is sealed in its chamber 246 or 241 it is subjectedto vacuumizing and gassing by proper manipulation of the slide 338 orslide 3I4. For example the can group may be sealed in the chamber 241,as illustrated in Figs. 9 and 11 and the treating steps thereuponproceed as follows. The groove 3I9 in the cam 3I8 first raises theassociated slide 3I4 of valve box 30I and moves it out of the neutralposition shown in Fig. 9, moving it into the position shown in Fig. 10.Communication is thereupon effected between the valve compartments 305,306 and the chamber 241 and air is exhausted or drawn out from thechamber and from the cans therein by way of the pipe 352, compartment305, port 308, slide recess 3I5, port 309, compartment 306 and vacuumpipe 355.

Cam groove 3I9 next returns or lowers the slide 3I4 into its neutralposition cutting off communication between ports 308, 309 and holdingthe chamber and the cans under dead vacuum. The other valve unit nowcomes into play.

The cam groove 3 in the back ofthe cam 3I8 raises the slide 338 of valvebox 302 out of its neutral position (Fig. 10) into a position where theports 335, 336 are in communication. Gas from the supply pipe 356 andthe central compartment 332 then passes through the port 336, sliderecess 339, port 335 into the compartment 33I, thence through the pipe35I, compartment 305 in the other valve unit and pipe 352 into thechamber 241 and into the cans therein. At the proper time, the cans havethen received their gas charge, the cam groove 34I again returns theslide 338 into its neutral position and the supply of gas is accordinglycut off from the chamber.

Similarly when a group of cans is sealed in the chamber 246, thevacuumizing and gassing proceeds. This time the slide 3I4 of the valvebox 30I is first lowered out of its neutral position. This lowering ofthe slide opens communication between the ports 309, 3 and air isthereupon drawn out of the chamber 246 and from the cans therein by wayof the pipe 354, valve compartment 333 of the valve box 302, pipe 353,compartment 301, port 3, slide recess 3I5, port 309, compartment 306 andvacuum pipe 355. The cam groove 3I9 now returns the slide 3I4 to itsneutral position thereby cutting of! the vacuum.

The groove 34I on the back of the cam next lowers the slide 338 of valvebox 302 from its neutral position into its lowermost position. Thisaction opens communication between the ports 336, 331 permitting the gasfrom the supply pipe 356 to pass by way of the compartment 332, thecommunicating valve ports and the associated slide recess 339, thecompartment 333, pipe 354 and thence into the chamber 246 and the canstherein.

Thus it is that the valve mechanism, involving both valve units, isdouble acting, serving one chamber and the cans contained therein whilethe cam 3I6 is efiective through one half of each revolution and servingthe other chamber and the cans therein while the cam completes itsremaining half revolution.

The electric wiring diagram hereinbefore briefly referred to andschematically illustrated in Fig. 13 includes the various switches andtheir circuits for operating the electric motors 62, I48.

Electric current may be suitably supplied as by a generator 36I having amain service wire 362 leading from one side and a service return wire363 connecting with the other side;

The circuit including the continuously operating motor 62 which it willbe recalled, actuates the disc can feeding devices, the belt conveyor,detecting devices and discharge mechanism, comprises a wire 364connecting one side of the motor with the main service wire 362. A wire365 connects the opposite side of the motor with the return service wire363. This is a simple closed circuit between generator and motor.

The circuit for starting and stopping the motor I48 (which operates thevacuumizing and gassing mechanism) includes the starting switch I45,referred to in connection with the can detecting device, and thestopping switch '291. This circuit comprises a wire 361 leading from themain service wire 362 to one side of the stop switch 291 see also Fig.6) which is normally open. The other side 'of the switch is connected toone side of the motor I48 by a wire 368, the opposite side of the motorbeing connected by a'wire 369 to the return service wire 363. v

The normally open starting switch I45 is connected with this circuit bya wire 31I leading from the wire 361 and by a wire 312 to the wire 368.It is this switch I45 which is momentarily closed by the detectingdevice when a group of cans has been collected. The closing of theswitch permits current to flow from the main service wire 362, by way ofwires 361, 31I, the closed switch I45, wires 312, 368, through the motorI48, wire 369 back to the return service wire 363 thus causing the motorto start.

Starting of the motor I40 sets in motion the vacuumizing and gassingmechanism of which the cam shaft 9I is an operating part (Fig. 6). Assoon as this shaft begins to turn the lug 293 on the cam I68 rides oilthe actuating arm of the switch 291 causing it to close. A new circuitis thereby established which does not'include the switch I45 which'maybe immediately opened and its circuit broken. The newly created circuitserves as a holding circuit to keep the motor operating throughout acomplete cycle of the machine. Current for this circuit passes along thewire 361, switch 291, wire 368, motor I48, and wire 369 back to thereturn service wire.

At the end of the machine cycle, i. e., when the shaft 9i has made onecomplete revolution the lug 290 again engages the actuating arm of theswitch 291 thereby breaking its circuit and causing the motor and themechanism actuated thereby to stop. It will be observed that thispositioning of the parts sets the stage for the next cycle when a newgroup of cans again closes the starting switch I45. The motor I48 isthus started operating only by the switch I45 and is then onlymaintained in operation by the switch 291.

While the vacuumizing and gassing mechanism is in operation otherelectric circuits control the degree of plus or minus pressures ofvacuum and of gas in the chambers and in the pipe lines. A vacuum gauge314 (Figs. 4 and is mounted on each of the treating chamber housings 245and I03 and the degree of vacuum in a chamber under vacuum is thusvisibly discernible at all times. However, in addition to this gaugefeature there are provided danger signals for both the vacuum and thegassing lines.

The danger signal or indicating device just mentioned for vacuumcomprises a signal lamp which lights up when the vacuum is notsuflicient for the purpose. Lighting of this lamp is effected by theclosing of a circuit containing a' mercury switch 315 (Figs. 13 and 14).Switch 315 is physically located in a closed box 316 (Figs. 4 and 5)which is carried on the upper end of a short pipe 311. The other end ofthis pipe connects with the pipe 355 which leads to the source ofvacuum.

The switch 315 may be of the usual tilting bulb type this being acommercial article of manufacture. The-bulb is suitably arranged so thatthe degree of vacuum in the line changes its position and when tilted inone position a globule of mercury connects the ends of the switch polesand closes the switch. For this purpose switch 315 is mounted in aswinging cradle 315' which is connected by a link with a lever 316, oneend of which is pivoted on the switch box 316. The

lever 316' has an upper and a lower position and is moved into one orthe other of its two positions by a Sylphon bellows which is located inthe box on the end of the pipe 311. The inside of the Sylphon,therefore, is in constant communication with the vacuum line. TheSylphon at its top engages the lever 316' and a spring 311" also locatedin the box aligns with the bellows and tends to keep the lever presseddown.

As long as there is suflicient vacuum in the line, the atmosphericpressure in the box working on the top of the Sylphon together with thedepressing force of the spring 311 holds the lever 316' in its loweredposition. When, however, the vacuum in the pipe 311 is insuflicient, theSylphon is extended and its top, pressing against the lever 316 moves upthrowing the lever into its raised position (Fig. 14) in which positionthe cradle 315 holds the mercury switch 315 closed. A snap spring device318' pressing on the free end of the lever 316 insures that the leverquickly snaps over from one position to the other.

One pole of the mercury switch 315 (Fig. 13) is connected by a wire 318to the main service wire 362. The other side of the switch is connectedby a wire 319 to one terminal of a lamp 332 which is mounted on theswitch box 315 and ccnstitutesthe signal lamp for vacuum and theopposite lamp terminal is connected by a wire 383 to the return servicewire 363. When the degree of vacuum in a chamber or the'pipe lineconnected with a chamber, is not sufflciently high, therefore, toproperly vacuumize the cans, the mercury switch 315 is closed (Fig. 14)by the raising of the lever 316' and the rocking of the cradle 315' andthe lamp 382 is illuminated and visibly indicates such condition.

' The danger signal or indicator for the gas pipe line comprises thesame kind of a mercury switch as switch 315, the gas line switch beingindicated by the numeral 385 (Figs. 13 and 15). Switch 385 is located ina closed box386 (Figs. 4 and 5) which is carried on the end of a shortpipe 381 connecting with the gas supply pipe 356. A suitable switchactuating mechanism similar to that when so held. In the otherposition'of the cradle, that is, when the gas pressure in the gas linefalls so that the Sylphon collapses and the cradle 385 is shifted, thenan. auxiliary circuit is set up by the closing of the mercury switch385.

One side of the'switch 385 (Fig. 13) is connected by a wire 388 to themain service wire 362. The other side is connected by a wire 389 to oneterminal of a danger signal lamp 392 which is mounted on the switch box386 (see also Figs. 4, 5 and 15), the other lamp terminal beingconnected by a wire 393 to the return service wire 363. When the gaspressure falls below a predetermined degree which is not sufiicient topropvcontrolling this admission of gas so that the gas pressure willnever greatly exceed atmospheric pressure. This is efiected by a pair ofmercury switches 40I,..402, one for each of the respective chambers 246,241.

One side of the switch 40i (associated with chamber 246) is connected bya wire 405 to the main service wire 362. The other side of the switch isconnected by a wire 406 to one end of a solenoid 401 (see also Fig. 17)which is associated with a shut-off valve 408 included in the'gas supplypipe 356. The opposite end of the sole noid is connected with the returnservice wire 363. The switch MI is set so that it closes the circuitthrough the solenoid 401' when a given gas pressure has been reached andthe solenoid when energized cuts nif the gas supply through the valve408.

in the same manner. One side of the switch 402 is connected by a wire 4to the main service wire 362, the other side of the switch beingconnected by a wire M2 to the wire 406 of the other chamber controlcircuit. Thus either switch will energize the solenoid 401 to close thegas cut-oi! valve 408 when pressures in the can chambers 246, 241 reachthe predetermined point. One ounce above atmospheric pressure has beenfound to be a satisfactory point of setting'for chamber gas pressure.

The switches 40! 402 may be positioned in any suitable locationconvenient to the chambers 246. 241. Figures 4 and 5 show a switchcasing 4" for the switch 40! and a similar casing 414 for switch 402.The control parts such as diaphragm .or Sylphon for the switches may bearranged in housings M5 and M6 connected with the respective casings413, 414. Each housing may be conveniently mounted on pipes 4|1 threadedinto the top of easing I83 or 245 so that the interior of the chamber isin communication with the interior of its associated switch housing.

Switch 40i, casing M3 and housing 5 are identical to the switch 402,casing 4M and its housing 6, Fig. 16 showingindetail the parts of thegas control for the switch 401.

Switch 401 is mounted in a cradle 8 which is carried for swingingmovement within the cas.. ing 4i3. It is connected by a link to a lever410 one end of which is pivoted on a side wall of the casing. Lever 4i 9has an upper and a lower position and is moved into one or the other ofits two positions by a Sylphon bellows which is located in the housingM5. The inside of the Sylphon, therefore, is in constant communicationwith the gas line as in pipe M1. The Sylphon bellows at its bottom endis closed by a disc 420 which carries a vertically extending pin 42| theupper end of which extends into the casing M3 and engages below thelever 4l9.

A spring 422 is mounted above and engages the lever M9 and is invertical alignment with the pin 42!. This spring is supported at itsupper end in the casing 413. A second spring 423 is disposed within andis carried by the housing M5 and surrounds the lower portion of the pin42 I.. This spring tends to lift the pin but is opposed by the upperspring 422 which together with atmosphere acting on top of the disc 420normally holds the lever M9 in its lower or gas flowing position as inFig. 16.

When there is an excess of gas in the pipe line 4| I the Sylphon iscompressed, its disc bottom moving up. This lifts the pin 42! and shiftsthe lever 4 l 9 into its upper position. When the mercury switch isshifted its electric circuit energizes the solenoid 401 as has alreadybeen described and this cuts off the gas supply through the valve 408.

A snap spring device 424 pressing on the'free end of the lever 4 I 9insures that the lever quickly snaps over from one position to theother.

As illustrated in Fig. 1'7 the valve 408 in the gas line is adapted tobe closed by a pin valve 425 carried on the lower end of a solenoid core426 which is slidably mounted centrally of the core windingof thesolenoid 401. When the solenoid is energized the core and valve aremoved down against the action of a core spring 421 mounted between thevalve and the solenoid and the former is moved down to close an opening428 connecting the two chambers of the valve.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantageswill be understood from the foregoing description, and it will beapparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction andarrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the formhereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. In a machine for treating filled containers, the combination of meansfor collecting said containers into a group containing a predeterminednumber, a chamber adapted to receive the group of containers for atreating operation, means for transferring said container group fromsaid collectingv means into said chamber, said transferring means havingdevices whereby said chamber is made air-tight after receiving saidgroup of containers, and means operable by said collected containers forcontrolling the operation of said transferring means. i

2. In a machine for treating filled containers, the combination of meansfor collecting said containers into groups containing .a predeterminednumber, means associated with said 'collecting means for detecting thepresence of a said container as it is positioned in a said group, achamber adapted to receive a group of said containers for a treatingoperation,. and means controlled by said detecting means fortransferring saidgroup of containers into said chamber when said, groupis complete, said transferring means having devices whereby said chamberis made air-tight after receiving said group of containers.

3. In a machine for treating filled containers,

the combination of means for collecting said containers into a groupcontaining a predetermined number, means associated with said collectingmeans for detecting the presence of a said container as it is positionedin a said group, a chamber adapted to receive said group of containers,means for transferring said group of containers into said chamber, andmeans associated with said detecting means for setting in motion saidtransferring means when the predetermined number of cans in said groupis present, said transferring means having devices for supporting agroup of containers and having devices whereby said chamber is madeair-tight after receiving said group of containers.

4. In a machine for treating filled containers, the combination of meansfor collecting said containers into a group containing a predeterminednumber, means associated with said collecting means for detecting thepresence of a said container as it is positioned in said group, achamber adapted to receive said group of containers for a vacuumizingand gassing operation, means for transferring said group of containersinto said chamber, and means associated with said detecting means forholding said transferring means inoperative until a said group ofcontainers is complete, said transferring means having devices forsupporting a group of containers and having devices whereby said chamberis made air-tight after receiving said group of containers.

5. In a machine for treating filled containers, the combination of meansfor feeding containers into said machine, means for collecting saidcontainers into a group containing a predetermined number, meansassociatedvwith said collecting means for detecting the presence of asaid container as it is placed in said group, means for stopping theflow of containers from said feeding means when a group is complete, achamber adapted to receive said group of containers for a vacuumizingand gassing operation, and means for transferring said completed groupof containers into said chamber.

6. In a machine for treating filled containers,

the combination of means for. conveying said containers into a groupcontaining a predetermined number, a movable detector for each containerof a group,means for holding said containers in a predeterminedarrangement until said group is complete and for releasing saidcontainers upon the completion of said group, a chamber adapted toreceive said completed and released group of containers, and means fortransferring said completed and released group of containers into saidchamber, said transferring means having devices for supporting a groupof containers and having devices whereby said chamber is made air-tightafter receiving said group of containers.

7. In a machine for treating filled containers, the combination of meansforfeeding said containers into groups, each group containing apredetermined number, means actuated by grouped containers forinterrupting the feeding of succeeding containers, a cradle forsuccessively receiving said groups of containers, means for transferringeach group into said cradle, a chamber located adjacent said cradle andadapted to receive a said group for vacuumizing and gassing operation,and means for moving said cradle relative to said chamber to position asaid group 0 containers therein.

8. In a machine for treating filled containers, the combination of meansfor feeding said containers into groups each group containing apredetermined number, means actuated by individual containers fordetecting the completeness of the group, a pair of chambers adapted toreceive separate groups of containers for a treating operation, amovable cradledisposed between said chambers and having containerholding racks associated therewith, means for transferring said groupsof containers into alternate racks, and

means for moving said cradle alternately into sealing engagement withsaid chambers while positioning one of said racks and the containersheld therein into a said chamber.

9. In a machine for treating filled containers, the combination of meansfor feeding said containers into groups containing a predeterminednumber, gravitating devices each actuated by a container of a. group fordetecting the completeness of the group, a plurality of chambers adaptedto receive successive groups of containers for a vacuumizing and gassingoperation, a movable cradle disposed between said chambers and having aplurality of container holding racks associated therewith, means formoving said cradle into successive sealing engagement with a saidchamber and at the same time positioning one of said racks with a groupof containers into said sealed chamber, and means for transferring asuccessive group of containers into another of said racks while apreceding group in its rack is -being -vacuumized and gassed in itssealed chamber. I

10. In a machine for treating filled containers, the combination ofmeans for feeding said containers into groups, each group containing apredetermined number, weight arms movable by each of the containers of agroup for detecting the completeness of said group, a cradle forsuccessively receiving said groups of containers,

means for transferring. each group into said cradle, said transfer meansalso acting to dis-- charge a group already in said cradle beforepositioning a new group therein, a chamber located adjacent saidcradle-and adapted to receive a said group for a vacuumizing and gassingoperation, and means for moving said cradle relative to said chamber toposition a said group of containers therein. r

11. In a machine for treating filled containers, the combination ofmeans for feeding said containers into groups each group containing apredetermined number, weight arms movable by each of the containers of agroup for detecting the completeness of said group, a pair of .cham- Ibers adapted to receive separate groups of containers for a vacuumizingand gassing operation, a movable cradle disposed between said chambersfor successively receiving said groups, means for transferring eachgroup into said cradle, means for moving said cradle alternately intosealing l'engagement with each of said chambers and at fthe sametimepositioninga said group of con-' "tainers in'to said? ,sealedfchamber,and; valve means actuated in: time with the-movement of radle forvacuumizing and gassing said Qal'ternately sealed chambers, and thecontainers therein.

-' 12. In a machine for treating filled containers,

comprising in combination a plurality of chambers, a movable cradledisposedbetween. said chambers and adapted 'to receive and carry groupsof saidcontainerameans for successively moving said cradle into sealingengagement with each of said chambers and at the same time positioning agroup of said containers into said sealed chamber, vacuum valve meansconnected to one of said chambers and to a source of vacuum, gas valvemeans connected to another of said chambers and to a source of inertgas, said valve means being interconnected, and means for actuating saidvalve means for vacuumizing and gassing said sealed chamber and thecontainers therein in time with the movement of said cradle.

13. In a machine for treating filled containers, comprising incombination a plurality of chambers, a movable cradle disposed betweensaid chambers and adapted to receive and carry groups of saidcontainers, means for successively moving said cradle into sealingengagement with each of said chambers and at the same time positioning agroup of said containers into said sealed chamber, valve means forvacuumizing and gassing said sealed chamber and the con-' tainerstherein in time with the movement of said cradle, and means-associatedwith said valve means for visibly indicating a condition of insufficientvacuum in a said sealed chamber.

14. In a machine for treating filled containers, comprising incombination a plurality of chambers, a movable cradle disposed .betweensaid chambers and adapted to receive and carry groups of saidcontainers,-means forsuccessively moving said cradle into sealingengagement with each of said chambers and at the same time positioning agroup of said containers into said sealed chamber, valve means forvacuumizing and gassing said sealed chamber and the containers thereinin time with the movement of said cradle, and means associated with saidvalve means for visibly indicating a condition of insuflicient gas in asaid sealed chamber.

15. In a machine for treating filled containers, comprising incombination, a plurality of chambers, a movable cradle disposed betweensaid chambers and adapted to receive and carry groups of saidcontainers, means for successively moving said cradle into sealingengagement with each of said chambers and at the same time positioningva group of said containers into said sealed chamber, valve means forvacuumizing and gassing said sealed chamber and the containers thereinin time with the movement of said cradle, and means associated with saidvalve means and actuated by the pressure in a said sealed chamber forcutting off the gas supply when said pressure reaches a predeterminedvalue. I

16. In a machine for treating filled containers, the combination ofconveyor means for said containers, means associated with 'said conveyormeans for collecting said containers into a group, means for detectingthe presence of each con-.-

tainer as it takes its place in said group, means associated with saiddetecting means andoperable when a predetremined number of containersare present in said group for releasing said group for further movement,and means for exhausting air simultaneously from the containers of saidgroup, and means for supplying gas to associated with said detectingmeans and operable when a predetermined number of containers are presentin said group for releasing it, and means for subsequently moving saidgroup, said releasing means also setting in motion said last mentionedmoving means.

18. In a machine for treating filled containers, the combination ofmeans for conveying said containers, means associated with said conveyormeans for collecting said containers into a group,

means for detecting the presence of each container as it takes its placein said group, and

' means also operable by said detecting means for segregating saidcollected group of containers from other containers conveyed by saidconveyor 5 means.

NEILS P. BACH.

